Adaptable Panel Mounting System

ABSTRACT

A panel mounting system for mounting a linear panel structure on a surface, the system having a plurality of posts, each post having a base plate with one or more mounting surfaces for surface attachment and a vertical extension, the vertical extension having a lateral support beam perpendicular to a panel-receiving cross beam; first and second opposing semi-circular channels within first and second ends of the panel-receiving cross beam, wherein each channel forms a channel angle of between 45 degrees and 135 degrees relative to the lateral support beam; a hollow, circular cylindrical insert insertable into each channel; and a panel mountable between each pair of adjacent posts, each end of the panel insertable into a corresponding insert. The panel mounting system may be used to construct a panel mounting, an office divider system, or other wall structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to wall structure construction. In particular,the invention relates to a panel mounting system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a panel mounting system for mounting a linear panelstructure on a surface, the system comprising a plurality of posts, eachpost having a base plate with one or more mounting surfaces for surfaceattachment and a vertical extension, the vertical extension having alateral support beam perpendicular to a panel-receiving cross beam;first and second opposing semi-circular channels within first and secondends of the panel-receiving cross beam, wherein each channel forms achannel angle of between 45 degrees and 135 degrees relative to thelateral support beam; a hollow, circular cylindrical insert insertableinto each channel; and a panel mountable between each pair of adjacentposts, each end of the panel insertable into a corresponding insert.

The channel angle may be 45, 90, Or 135 degrees. Each panel may berotatable about a vertical axis at each end through a panel angle of 30degrees to either side of the channel angle of the correspondingchannels.

There may be a semi-circular wedge insertable at the top end of eachsemi-circular channel for securing the panel in a desired panel angleposition, and a setting block insertable in the lower end of eachchannel for supporting the corresponding panel a desired distance abovethe surface.

One or more wall tracks may be mountable on a vertical surface, eachwall track having a semi-circular channel at an angle of between 45degrees and 135 degrees relative to the vertical surface.

The one or more mounting surfaces of the base plate may be perpendicularto the longitudinal axis of the vertical extension, parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the vertical extension, or at a selected anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the vertical extension, theselected angle corresponding to the slope of the mounting surface.

Each of the panels may be manufactured of tempered glass. The posts,inserts, wedges, and setting blocks may be manufactured of aluminum.

Each channel opening may be adapted to receive a panel having athickness of 10 mm, or a panel having a thickness of 12 mm. In oneembodiment, the post may be comprised of a separate base plateconnectable to a vertical member.

The panel mounting system may be used as a room divider system, as arailing system, or as any other similar wall or barrier system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the components of a surface mountable embodiment of anadaptable panel mounting system, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 demonstrates the range of angles achievable with the various posttypes of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a surface mountedsystem, according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows cross-sectional views of the various base plates and postextrusions of the surface mounted embodiment of the invention, as wellas the wall track of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the components of the surface mounted embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a fascia mountedsystem, according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows cross-sectional views of the various base plates and postextrusions of the fascia mounted embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the components of the fascia mounted embodimentof the invention.

In the description which follows like parts are marked throughout thespecification and in the drawings with the same respective referencenumbers. Drawings are not necessarily to scale and in some instancesproportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearly depictcertain features of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There is provided an adaptable panel mounting system. The system of thepresent invention may be used to provide railings for balconies, patios,stairways, and other applications. In alternate embodiments of theinvention, the panel mounting system may be used to provide roomdividers or similar wall-like structures.

The panel mounting system of the present invention comprises a pluralityof posts 2 of varying designs, inserts 4, setting blocks 6, wedges 8,and panels 10. In a preferred embodiment, three types of post areprovided, namely, mid-posts 12, inside posts 14, and outside posts 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, each mid-post is a unitary structure comprised of abase plate 18 and a vertical extension 20. The mid-post verticalextension has a generally T-shaped transverse cross-section comprising alateral support beam 22 perpendicular to a panel receiving cross-beam24. The opposing ends of the cross-beam comprise a pair of opposingsemi-circular channels 26, 28 having an open end for receiving an insert4. For the mid-post, a line extending from the base of the trough ofeach channel through the centre of the opening of the channel will beperpendicular to a line through the lateral support beam.

A hollow, circular panel receptacle, termed herein an “insert”, havingan open channel extending along its entire length, is reversiblyattachable by insertion of the end of a flat panel into the channel. Thepanel and attached insert are insertable into the channels of themid-post. A setting block 6 may be inserted into the channel prior toinsertion of the insert if the panel is to be elevated above themounting surface 32. A wedge 8 may be inserted into the channel afterinsertion of the insert to lock the panel in place and prevent ingressof water and debris into the channel.

The panel and insert may be rotated about the longitudinal axis of theinsert within the channel of the mid-post along an arc betweenapproximately 60 and approximately 120 degrees relative to the lateralsupport beam of the mid-post. For all types of post of the invention,inserted panels may be rotated along an arc 34 approximately 30 degreesto each side of the line extending from the base of the trough of thechannel through the centre of the open end of the channel. FIG. 2depicts several arrangements of a panel mounting section comprising apanel having mid-posts at each end, demonstrating the angular rangeavailable 34, 36, 38.

A second post type comprises an inside post 14. Each inside postincludes a base plate and a vertical extension. The inside post verticalextension has a generally T-shaped transverse cross-section comprising alateral support beam perpendicular to a panel receiving cross-beam. Theopposing ends of the cross-beam comprise a pair of opposingsemi-circular channels having an open end for receiving an insert. Aline extending from the trough of each channel through the centre of theopening of the channel will form a 45 degree angle with a line throughthe lateral support beam.

A panel and attached insert are insertable into the channels of theinside post. The panel and insert may be rotated within the channel ofthe inside post along an arc between approximately 15 and approximately75 degrees relative to the support beam of the inside post.

A third post type comprises an outside post 16. Each outside postincludes a base plate and a vertical extension. The outside postvertical extension has a generally T-shaped transverse cross-sectioncomprising a lateral support beam perpendicular to a panel receivingcross-beam. The opposing ends of the cross-beam comprise a pair ofopposing semi-circular channels having an open end for receiving aninsert. A line extending from the trough of each channel through thecentre of the opening of the channel will form a 135 degree angle with aline through the lateral support beam.

A panel and attached insert are insertable into the channels of theoutside post. The panel and glass insert may be rotated within thechannel of the outside post along an arc between approximately 105 andapproximately 165 degrees relative to the support beam of the outsidepost.

As will be noted, some of the angles possible for each post type willoverlap with some of the angles possible with other post types, therebyallowing a degree of interchangeability of posts for certain angles.

FIG. 3 depicts an assembly of the components of the system of thepresent invention into a panel mounting structure. FIG. 3 depicts anadditional component of the system, a wall track 40. The wall trackcomprises an elongated member having a first flat side for placementagainst a wall or other flat vertical surface, and an opposing secondside having an open circular channel for receiving an insert andattached panel. Various attachment means may be used for attaching thewall track to a wall or similar surface, including screws or nails asdepicted in FIG. 3, but other attachment means are also possible.

As shown in FIG. 4, the base plate of each of the posts comprises aplanar base 42 having an opening 44 for receiving the bottom of thevertical extension of the post. The base plate may be welded to thevertical extension. In a preferred embodiment, the welds are located onthe lower side of the base plate, thereby not visible in the assembledpanel mounting. A plurality of openings is also provided in the baseplate for insertion therethrough of attachment means for attaching thebase plate to the surface. FIG. 4 also shows transverse cross-sectionsof the mid-post 46, inside post 48 and outside post 50 verticalextensions, and a transverse cross section of a wall track 52.

The insert of the invention is adapted to receive standard industrypanels having a thickness of 10 mm or 12 mm. Other panels of similarthickness may also be used with the inserts. The internal surface of theinsert may include baffles or protrusions to increase the frictionbetween the internal surface and an inserted panel. Detail of thecomponents of the assembly is shown in FIG. 5.

In an alternate embodiment, the base plate may be non-perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the vertical extension. In this embodiment, abase plate may be attached to a sloping surface yet still have avertical extension extending therefrom.

In another alternate embodiment for a fascia mounted system 54, theplane defined by the base plate may be parallel with the longitudinalaxis of the vertical extension. In this embodiment, the base plate maybe attached to a vertical surface 56. FIG. 6 depicts an isometric viewof such a system.

FIG. 7 depicts the transverse cross-sectional views of the mid-post,inside post and outside post base plates 58, 60, 62 for the fasciamounted system, as well as the corresponding cross-sections of thevertical extensions for the posts of the invention. Detail of thecomponents of the fascia mounted assembly is shown in FIG. 8.

In a further embodiment having a base plate for vertical attachment, thebase plate may be rotated from the vertical position. This embodimentmay be used, for example, to attach a railing to an outside edge of astaircase.

A post may be used as an end post by inserting an insert and wedge intothe empty channel on the outside end of the post.

Preferably, the non-panel components of the adaptable panel mountingsystem are manufactured of aluminum, although other materials are alsopossible and included within the scope of the present invention. Thepanels of the system are preferably tempered glass, but other materialsare also within the scope of the invention.

In operation, the components of the system of the invention are readilymanufactured and assembled. As the three post types will allow for awide range of possible angles, and the base plates will allow forsurface and fascia mounting, it is possible to arrive at a work sitewith standardized components which may be selected as necessary tofulfill the site requirements.

Panel replacement is easily achieved without disrupting other panels ofthe structure, as individual panels may be removed and replacedindependent of other panels.

While specific dimensions of the components of the invention have beenprovided, other dimensions are also within the scope of the presentinvention.

In alternate embodiments, the technology described in the presentinvention may be used to assemble office dividers or other wall-likestructures.

Since changes in and/or additions to the above described best mode maybe made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope of theinvention, the invention is not to be limited to said details.

1. A panel mounting system for mounting a linear panel structure on asurface, the system comprising: a plurality of posts, each post having abase plate with one or more mounting surfaces for surface attachment anda vertical extension, the vertical extension having a lateral supportbeam perpendicular to a panel-receiving cross beam; first and secondopposing semi-circular channels within first and second ends of thepanel-receiving cross beam, wherein each channel forms a channel angleof between 45 degrees and 135 degrees relative to the lateral supportbeam; a hollow, circular cylindrical insert insertable into eachchannel; and a panel mountable between each pair of adjacent posts, eachend of the panel insertable into a corresponding insert.
 2. The panelmounting system of claim I, wherein the channel angle is 90 degrees. 3.The panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the channel angle is 45degrees.
 4. The panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the channelangle is 135 degrees.
 5. The panel mounting system of claim 1, whereineach panel is rotatable about a vertical axis at each end through apanel angle of 30 degrees to either side of the channel angle of thecorresponding channels.
 6. The panel mounting system of claim 5, furthercomprising a semi-circular wedge insertable at the top end of eachsemi-circular channel for securing the panel in a desired panel angleposition.
 7. The panel mounting system of claim 1, further comprising asetting block insertable in the lower end of each channel for supportingthe corresponding panel a desired distance above the surface.
 8. Thepanel mounting system of claim 1, further comprising one or more walltracks mountable on a vertical surface, each wall track having asemi-circular channel at an angle of between 45 degrees and 135 degreesrelative to the vertical surface.
 9. The panel mounting system of claim1, wherein the one or more mounting surfaces of the base plate areperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vertical extension. 10.The panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the one or more mountingsurfaces of the base plate are parallel to the longitudinal axis of thevertical extension.
 11. The panel mounting system of claim 1, whereinthe one or more mounting surfaces of the base plate are at a selectedangle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vertical extension, theselected angle corresponding to the slope of the mounting surface. 12.The panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein each of the panels ismanufactured of tempered glass.
 13. The panel mounting system of claim1, wherein each channel opening is adapted to receive a panel having athickness of 10 mm.
 14. The panel mounting system of claim 1, whereineach channel opening is adapted to receive a panel having a thickness of12 mm.
 15. The panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the post iscomprised of a separate base plate connectable to a vertical member. 16.The panel mounting system of claim 1, wherein the posts, inserts,wedges, and setting blocks are manufactured of aluminum.
 17. The panelmounting system of claim 1, for use as a room divider system.
 18. Thepanel mounting system of claim 1, for use as a panel mounting system.